Intellectual Property Guide

Much of our legal system, and in fact day-to-day lives, is concerned with property, and most people understand the concept of property in the context of houses or, say, cars. But there are also items of property that have no physical 'body' - in the legal world these are what is known as 'incorporeal' or intangible property. Intellectual property is one of these forms of property.

What are Intellectual Property Rights?

Intellectual property (also known as Intellectual Property Rights or IPR) is an all encompassing term for patents, copyright, designs, trade marks and other forms of knowledge such as trade secrets. In summary IPR protect your thoughts and ideas from other people stealing them.

The value of intellectual property lies in what it allows you to do, the monopolies it gives you. These monopolies are territorial, for instance you can register trade marks that cover the UK.

As with other forms of property the person who has control of the property generally has the ability to make money from the property by selling it, licensing it or otherwise dealing with it.

How Can You Protect your Intellectual Property?

Copyright and some rights over designs arise automatically and do not need registration in the UK. Registration of designs however generally provides more cover over the designs. Inventions can be protected by registration of a patent covering the invention. When we are talking about the UK, all these rights are registered at the UK Intellectual Property Office.

Trade marks are also examples of registerable rights and cover the use of the same or similar mark in relation to the same or similar goods and/or services, where there is a likelihood of confusion for the public.

How Can We Help You with IPR?

Trademarkroom has much experience with IPR, and successfully helps many clients a day by streamlining their trade mark applications and taking all the hassle an stress out of the process. See our testimonials page for a few kind words from past customers.